The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Tribune Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

AFTER a lopsided loss in last year’s national title game, the Doris Johnson Mystic Marlins set their sights on a rematch with the Jordan Prince William Falcons.

They successfully avenged that loss and made history as the first team to claim two National High School Basketball Championships.

They closed out an undefeated tournament run with a 47-39 win over the Falcons last night at the St. George’s Gymnasium.

Junior national team standouts Briontae Riley and Tanea Bowleg led the Mystic Marlins on both ends of the floor.

Riley finished with eight points and 25 rebounds while Bowleg scored a team high 17 and Kovanique Rolle chipped in with eight.

Brianna Stevens and Judy Forbes each finished with seven points to lead the Falcons.

Riley said the championship was a fitting end to her high school career and to a senior season.

“This one feels good because we really wanted a win against this team after what happened last year,” she said, “We knew that it would be a tough fight against them, they came in thinking they were better than us but we knew we had a point to prove.”

Riley played all 32 minutes in the contest after she posted 23 points and 25 rebounds in the semifinals the night before.

She averaged 10.5 points, 15. 5 rebounds per game and was named the tournament MVP.

“This is my last year so I had to give it my all,” Riley said. “There was no time to rest, and for us to get this win and reclaim this national championship.

Riley scored the first five points of the game and Rolle’s three pointer gave the Mystic Marlins an early 10-1 lead. Prince William didn’t get their first field goal of the game until a Dwainique Rolle layup at the 1:32 mark and Doris Johnson led 15-4 after one.

They widened the margin in the second, 23-8 after a Riley score and took a 27-13 lead into the half.

In the third quarter, Prince William turned defence into easy offence with three steals and scores for a 6-0 run but could only trim deficit to nine at one point. Stevens had a late steal and layup to make the score 35-26 headed into the fourth.

The Falcons came within five points, but the Mystic Marlins were in the double bonus with 4:35 minutes. “We have been developing players for quite a while, we have some talent, we were able to create a programme with building people around them and produce championships every year.. This one feels extra special because that last year caused us to refocus. From training camp we just put everything into winning this and we thought the only team that could beat us is ourselves.”

The Mystic Marlins won the inaugural national title in 2016 with a win over CR Walker and followed with last year’s loss to the Falcons.

“Moving forward we don’t have a total rebuild,” Spence said, “We have some strong players coming back, we have the formula, we have the DNA we have the structure we just have to keep pushing forward.”